Marked Twice by the Alpha King novel Chapter 34

Chapter 34: Girls Day Out

Ava’s POV

I rushed to adjust my simple warrior training gear in the mirror, the mark on my neck radiating warmth beneath my collar. I carefully made sure the silver- and gold interwoven pattern stayed completely hidden–no need for unwanted attention. Ella’s familiar whistle drifted through the window, signaling her arrival. 1 stuffed the Honor medal into my pocket, making sure I had my wallet–though it contained next to nothing.

Before leaving. I gave a reassuring pat to the small dagger tucked into my boot. In this world, a wolf warrior never goes anywhere completely defenseless.

“Coming!” I called out, casting one last glance at my foster mother Sarah’s firmly closed door with a sigh. She’d barely left that rooms since William was taken.

Ella leaned against a pine tree outside, dressed in casual warrior clothes with definitely a few weapons stashed in her hidden pockets. Her face broke into bright smile when she saw me.

“Ready to hunt for treasures and trouble?” she asked, high–fiving me in greeting. “Northern tribe merchants are swarming the Trading Zone today. Perfect timing.”

We followed the forest path toward the trading area, trees casting dappled shadows in the sunshine. The air smelled of pine resin and wildflowers, a temporary escape from our troubles

“How’s Sarah holding up?” Ella asked carefully, jumping over a fallen log across the path.

I bit my lip and shook my head. “She’s fading a little more each day. Barely cats, won’t leave her room. It’s like watching someone slowly disappear.”

“The mate bond is brutal when broken,” Ella said softly, her voice respectful and sympathetic.

I nodded to confirm. “Yes. I don’t blame her for being miserable. I just wish there was something I could do to help. Fated mates being forcibly separated… that kind of pain is unimaginable to regular wolves.”

Ella squeezed my arm in sympathy. “We’ll find a way to help both of them. Today might bring answers. These Northern merchants gossip like old women over Tea–someone knows something useful.

As we crossed an open stretch, the Trading Zone entrance marker came into view–a massive wooden arch carved with the totems of all the major packs, marking this as neutral territory. Two guards with neutral badges stood at the entrance, checking everyone’s pack identification.

We presented our Shadow Creek tribal passes, and the guards nodded us through. Inside, the trading area buzzed with activity, stalls displaying goods from different packs–rare herbs from the North, exquisite weapons from the West, mysterious rune stones from the South, and delicate crafts from the East,

“So what’s our actual target here?” I asked, scanning the bustling marketplace, instinctively noting possible escape routes and hiding spots.

Ella’s face lit up with excitement. “My sister Tiffany is coming back next month for her birthday. She’s throwing one of her famous penthouse parties. I need a gift that won’t embarrass me in front of her fancy friends.”

“Tiffany’s still dominating the human modeling world?” I asked, remembering how Ella occasionally mentioned her successful sister.

Ella nodded. “Queen of the runway. Multiple mansions, celebrity friends, the works, But she never misses full moon festival. Says the human world has nothing on Moonlight Lodge gatherings.”

I could hear the complex emotions in Ella’s voice–pride mixed with a hint of jealousy. Tiffany seemed to effortlessly get everything she wanted, leaving Ella both proud and somewhat lost in her shadow.

“While we re here, we should find something decent for you to wear, Ella continued, pulling me toward a fabric stall. “You need to come with me to this party. Northern pack elders will be crawling all over the place–perfect for digging up dirt on your dad’s case.”

I frowned, instinctively touching my nearly empty wallet. “My last coins went to bribing that drunk Northern beta last week. I’ve got nothing left for fancy

Ella made an exaggerated pleading face, eyes wide. “Ava, this matters for both of us. Many Northern pack bigwigs will be there, and you need to look like a warrior with status if you want them to talk to you,”

I shook my head, my tone firm. “I’d rather spend my last dollar on silver bullets than party clothes. My priorities are clear–Dad comes first.”

We used several stalls when my attention was caught by a Northern merchant selling wolf herbs. Just as I was about to approach him to ask if he knew

anything about the Northern border situation, Ella suddenly froze, her fingers digging into my arms, her gaze locked ahead.

Sophia Morgan was walking out of a wolf–hide craft shop, carrying several elegantly wrapped packages. She wore simple but elegant casual clothes, her golden hair braided intricately, perfectly showcasing her Alpha family’s elegant bloodline. Sunlight seemed to give her an almost ethereal glow,

“Ava, is that you?” She spotted us and her face lit up with a genuine smile, her voice gentle as a spring breeze.

s with undisguised joy in her voice. “Incorporating some

At the mention of Jackson’s name, my mark stung slightly, that familiar sense of betrayal washing over me again. I adjusted my collar instinctively, making sure the mark stayed completely covered.

Sophia’s gaze shifted to Ella, curiosity and friendliness in her eyes. “And who is this? Have we met before?”

I felt myself growing inexplicably protective, somehow worried that Sophia might take an interest in Ella, just as Jackson had “taken” everything that was once mine. The protective instinct was almost primal, though rationally I knew it was absurd.